Posted: 07.25.2010

Wisconsin's organic farmers and processors are invited to apply for funding to help pay their annual organic certification costs. Applications for this cost-share program, which reimburses up to $750 or 75 percent of certification costs, are being accepted through October 29.

With over 1,200 farms certified USDA organic, Wisconsin has the second highest number of organic farms in the country, behind only California. Wisconsin leads the nation in the number of organic farms that produce milk, have beef cows or produce chicken eggs.

The current Federal Farm Bill provides funding for this popular program, which is distributed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection through a cooperative agreement with USDA National Organic Program.

All certified organic farms and handlers are eligible for cost share funds on a first-come, first-served basis. This cycle reimburses costs for the period of October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

"Application materials have been mailed out to over 1,500 farmers and handlers on our list," said Laura Paine, coordinator of the program for DATCP. "We've worked with certifiers to keep our list current, but we encourage people to contact us if they don't receive the packet."

Application materials are available on-line at www.datcp.state.wi.us/ (search for "organic cost-share") or may be requested from Paine at 608-224-5120 or via email at laura.paine@wi.gov

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